New road to Valero Way brings 6-minute shuttle

(Jan. 10, 2007)--As enrollment increases and programs are created and expanded, space is at a premium at UTSA. To accommodate the rapid growth, facilities are under construction across the 1604 Campus, and parking will be disrupted in the process. With this in mind, staff members in the Office of Parking and Transportation Services are working to make the most of a challenging situation.

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According to David Kapalko, director of parking and transportation services, the best relief for parking frustration is to avoid lots on the north side of the 1604 Campus. These lots are designated for faculty, staff and student-resident permit parking.

Many parking spaces on the north side of the campus were eliminated last month when lot 1 closed permanently for construction of the Laurel Village student housing facility.

"For students coming from off-campus, the best thing to do is access UTSA parking lots from UTSA Boulevard," said Kapalko. "The best choices are lot 13 on Valero Way on the east side of the 1604 Campus, and lots 10 and 11 adjacent to University Oaks apartments and the Child Development Center. Using these lots and taking the shuttle is much faster than circling other lots and hoping to find a space."

Often underutilized, Valero Way lot 13 accommodates approximately 1,100 vehicles, and University Oaks lots 10 and 11 handle nearly 1,000.

With two covered shuttle stops in lot 13, the shuttle makes the rounds every 15 minutes with a stop in lot 8 adjacent to the Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building. On Jan. 25, the route will change and shorten to only 6 minutes when a new road connects lot 13 to a stop at the Arts Building -- just one building from Sombrilla Plaza. On the revised route, the shuttle will simply go back and forth between lot 13 and the Arts Building for fast express service.

From lots 10 and 11, shuttles make a loop every 10 minutes (5 minutes during peak hours) to a stop at the Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building. The stop is just two buildings from Sombrilla Plaza and the center of campus.

With expansion of the University Center and construction of the new parking garage/thermal energy plant, approximately 200 faculty, staff and disabled spaces in lot 9 (south of the University Center) were moved to lots 5 and 6, southeast of the Convocation Center and adjacent to the Science and Biosciences buildings. Lot 9 closes Jan. 13 for construction of the University Center expansion. Some of these spaces will be recovered in early 2008 on completion of the parking facility. To better accommodate people with disabilities, wheelchair-accessible golf cart shuttles will operate 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays between lot 5, the University Center and the Multidisciplinary Studies Building.

Additionally, drivers on UTSA Boulevard should be alert to a new traffic signal installed recently by the City of San Antonio. Approaching campus from Interstate 10 on UTSA Boulevard, the new traffic light is past Valero Way and at the first UTSA entrance. The light is at James Bauerle Avenue at the entrance to lot 8. Previously, the only UTSA traffic signal on the 1604 Campus south side was at Edward Ximenes Avenue. Use caution at the intersection as drivers become accustomed to the change in traffic patterns.

UTSA 1604 Campus shuttle service is provided in north, south, apartment and shopping routes at no charge to the UTSA community and visitors. On-campus routes operate on 15-20 minute continuous-loop service from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday. Bus service between the UTSA 1604 and Downtown campuses is available through an agreement with VIA Metropolitan Transit. UTSA students, faculty and staff can ride VIA Express routes 93 or 94 at no charge with a valid UTSACard.